Midland Hikers

Well, hikers...where's this one? It's a tough one, without many landmarks to clue us in! Yesterday's photo poem was....drum roll, please... Raspberry Gulch!

Well, folks, where is this? Saving the world by sitting on the couch, I pondered one of my favorite quotes by George Bernard Shaw: “This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which i have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” Let's celebrate all those who are working hard for our community right now... Best regards, Michael

Judy Hamontre shared this article with us. https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief?fbclid=IwAR0nge-Re7VfUWjgJ_tQUHKscnSkxtVzC5sxDtIWa-ItnihV1S_i_LVryn0 The writer does an excellent job of exploring the way people are feeling right now...a sense of grief. Judy also shared this photo with us, and commented:  "[I took this} from my front porch on March 21. Every day a different look but always breathtaking. And always lifts spirits."

George says: Yesterday’s photo location (Sun-Dripped Canyons) I believe to be Timberline Lk near the Hagerman Pass.

Mo Butler passed along this fun and insightful article about birds! Wanted to pass on the following Audubon article that’s both fun and informative for all you bird likers/lovers/enthusiasts. https://www.audubon.org/news/whats-difference-between-borb-and-floof Peace, Mo Butler “ And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul”  John Muir Enjoy this photo (taken by Michael from our back patio) as an illustration for this post. The eagle was hunting ducks, but not very successfully!

Can you guess where this is? Answer to George's Photo Poem 1:  Yesterday's photo was a view of the lower, first big bend along the Bald Mtn trail.

March 25,2020 Hello fellow hikers,  Thanks for all the engaging comments and photos. I am going to start a photo-poem post of the day. The photos will start with hikes from approximately the last year. Your task will be to identify the location of the hike; please no cheating by asking your pet dogs for help. The answer for the location of the hike will be posted the following day. Good luck and keep active and engaged. George & Vicki Schuller 52gschul@gmail.com

Hello, Midland Hikers! For anyone who still wants some snow, check out the 3 Elk Trail. This trail connects with the Colorado Trail headed toward Harvard Lakes, but I only hiked in a couple miles. I felt more comfortable wearing micro spikes, although it's probably OK for just boots. The trail is hard packed, might not be great for people with knee issues. Here are the directions to the trailhead:  From BV, go north on 24. Take a left on 384 (toward Jumpin' Good Goat) then right on 361. Just before the road turns to dirt, turn left on 368. No parking beside the road, but you can park at the Heckendorf state wildlife area and walk along 368A (past mailboxes) to the trailhead.  Here's what you'll find:

To all the Midland Hikers, Thanks so much for the emails and the blogs.  We’ve been in Arizona and are trying to get home this next week but once we’re back all of these suggestions are great and I love the blog.  I was going to put this information below on the blog, but I couldn’t see a way for me to post a new item (only comment on one already written) so I hope you don’t mind that I’m using the email list to get the word out, especially during this uncertain time where timely knowledge is key.   I know that many of you read the Ark Vally Voice free online publication.  Some come directly to the publication but over 1000 people follow Ark Valley Voice’s facebook page and that’s how they get their news and information on what’s happening in our community.  On Tuesday night a disgruntled former contractor for Ark Valley Voice has used an unauthorized back door into the Ark Valley Voice Facebook Page, removed the official AVV administrators and bloc...

We Get to Live Here! I am suggesting that all people in the Arkansas Valley go out on their decks, patios or open their windows and doors at 8 p.m. on Friday March 27,2020 and cheer, blow a kazoo or shine a flashlight up to the sky or just make some noise to honor all of humanity and the people who continue to work on the front line- first responders, in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other medical facilities.  PLEASE SEND THE WORD OUT about this small effort. Love to all and stay the course, Joyce and Rick

For those who don’t know. An excellent source of Colorado news is the Colorado Sun.  These are the professional journalist who staged a revolt at the  Denver Post when it was bought by a hedge fund. Greta new and great organization to support. See new York times article for their great story. If you believe in local journalism, consider the small subscription fee. https://coloradosun.com/ From The New York Times: Denver Post Rebels Against Its Hedge-Fund Ownership Facing the loss of more than two dozen newsroom jobs, the beleaguered newspaper is printing an editorial blasting Alden Global Capital: “We call for action.” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/business/media/denver-post-opinion-owner.html?smid=em-share

Sandi Brown sent along these photos from her house near Mt. Princeton. She reports: " I guess it’s not too bad to be locked in the house when you catch these views. Mt Antero on the left and the lower Mt Princeton on the right." Enjoy!

Deb and I headed out for a long "walkabout" today to check in with friends and neighbors to see how everyone is doing. Here's some pics from our wandering: Maartje (and Ember) are doing just fine! (Randy is off backpacking in Utah.) From there, we headed over to check in with Tom, Karen, and their daughter, Claire. Tom was up in his art studio with great music playing, and Karen and Claire had a flan in the oven that wasn't' cooperating. They are doing great! On our way back into town, we checked on Libby, who was just returning from a walk with Berry, her excellent dog! She and Joe are also doing just fine. Then, back across the highway to see Marge! All is well with her... We hope all of you are staying healthy and sane... All the best, M and D

Bill, Marge and I did a “social distancing” hike on the Chalk Creek rail bed off of County Road 290, past the Mount Princeton Hot Springs.   There was still a lot of snow on the trail, but some dry spots.   The views are beautiful.   Missing everyone!  Stay safe and healthy and hope to see you all soon. Pam and Bill Kelly

Beautiful day for an outing. We thought about hiking to the Turret homesite, but last summer we did part of the hike starting from Ruby Mtn. and the trail became hard to find.  We ended up driving and hiking around that area today. What a contrast in history from the building at the entrance of the town of Turret to the emergency tent for Coronavirus Screening at Heart of the Rockies in Salida (24/7 screening). Look at the difference!

For those of you looking for great loop hikes near town, here are some approximate distances: From the Midland Stop, take Camp Elevation to the intersection with South Broken Boyfriend: this is about 2 miles.  Then, take South BB 1.1 miles north to the intersection with North Broken Boyfriend. From that junction, you can head up Midland Hill, which is only about 1.4 miles, but 1000 vertical! An easier route would take you further north on North Broken Boyfriend for about 1.5 miles. That will bring you out to CR 304, almost far enough north that it's worth a side trip to see the old foundations of the once-amazing tressel over Hop Gulch. There are lots shorter loops using South Trail, Whipple Trail, North Trail, and Bridge to Bridge Trail. One of our favorite short loops simply goes up one side of the river and back down the other side of the river, literally from bridge to bridge. These trails are all 99% dry and in good shape. Tom and Karen report that Django and Fistf...

Good morning, friends! Holly wanted to share a new artwork, titled "Birdsong," from Kathy Keidel this morning. We think you will appreciate the beauty and meaning of this wonderful piece. You'll need to zoom in to see the amazing details. Enjoy!

Good afternoon, folks! Paul sent along this insightful weblink about the perspective of Albert Camus when he was writing his classic book, The Plague. Check it out: https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/camus-and-the-plague/ All the best, M

Even Pooh gets cranky.

Hi Midland Group! So grateful for this new blog and loved learning the history and fun facts about the Elephant Rock, et al!! Looking forward to more sharing and learning in community. I find great comfort and inspiration from images in nature — especially ones involving animals. In this time of “homing” and seeking shelter for our virus-threatened bodies, and anxiety-threatened spirits, I offer  this lovely swan family.  I sit and look at this and feel immediately calmed and gathered in. I also want to offer free, socially-distanced spiritual support during this time for anyone who needs it.  I come from an  interfaith, multi-faith and no-faith-needed spiritual perspective, and would be glad to talk with anyone (or chat online) feeling  discouraged, fearful, anxious, or just stir-crazy and in need of connection and a listening ear at this time.   Revbecca@icloud.com  or Facebook: Rebecca Kemper Poos. Start the...

Hello, MIdland HIkers! A friend sent me the following letter from another time and another pandemic.  I have not fact checked to see if it’s real but it rings true.  I guess what goes around comes around (no pun intended). Stay well my friends and focus on that “single strain of light.” A LETTER FROM F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, QUARANTINED IN 1920 IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE DURING THE SPANISH INFLUENZA OUTBREAK. Dearest Rosemary, It was a limpid dreary day, hung as in a basket from a single dull star. I thank you for your letter.  Outside, I perceive what may be a collection of fallen leaves tussling against a trash can. It rings like jazz to my ears. The streets are that empty. It seems as though the bulk of the city has retreated to their quarters, rightfully so.  At this time, it seems very poignant to avoid all public spaces. Even the bars, as I told Hemingway, but to that he punched me in the stomach, to which I asked if he had washed...

From Rebecca Poos: To all of us who are artists-in-waiting since our Midland Hikers Art Show was postponed indefinitely... :) Goodnight, artists!

Good morning, Midland Hikers! In our household, Deb tends to be the "night person" who stays up later and then arises later in the morning. Caitlin works on "China time" so she's up until 2am every work day. I'm a "morning person," cursed with the tendency for my eyes to pop open at 5am; returning to sleep is generally not an option. I'm starting to take an early morning walk across the river from our house, looping Midland trails together in a wandering way. This morning, I thought you might enjoy finding out about the rocks we walk on when we hike across the river. Midland Hill, Sleeping Indian Mountain, most of the 4-mile area, and up along the Vitamin B trail consists of Elephant Rock Granite. Elephant Rock Granite is about 1.4 billion years old. Rock formations are usually named after where they were first described and studied. In this case, Elephant Rock Granite is named for the beautiful rock outcropping just past the tunnels o...

Joyce sent along this poem. Read to the bottom, since  there's an extra bonus from  Holly at the end!! Lockdown ( by Brother Richard Hendrick ) Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise you can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes but blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighborhood So that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples...